Image data recording method and frame image regenerating method

ABSTRACT

An image data recording method for recording, in an IC memory mounted in a film cartridge, image data of one or more desired frames on developed photographic film stored in the film cartridge is provided. The image data recording method comprises the steps of: determining the residual capacity of IC memory, changing the quantity of image data of one or more desired frames to be recorded in the IC memory or erasing the data recorded in the IC memory in accordance with the determined residual capacity of IC memory, and recording the image data of one or more desired frames in the residual capacity of the IC memory.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/258,823,filed on Feb. 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,880 the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an image data recordingmethod and a frame image regenerating method, and more particularly toan image data recording method and a frame image regenerating methodwhich display film images on a monitor within a short period of time byusing data in an IC memory loaded in a film cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, an Advanced Photo System (APS) film has been proposed as a newphotographic film. A magnetic layer is coated on the surface of the APSfilm, and photographic information, printing information, etc. aremagnetically recorded on the film. The APS film is stored in a filmcartridge in the state wherein the film is completely shielded. Afterthe photography, the developed film, which is stored in the filmcartridge, is returned from a laboratory.

There is a conventional APS film cartridge loaded with an IC memory. TheIC memory is capable of containing a lot of information which cannot bemagnetically recorded on the film. Moreover, it is possible toimmediately read the information recorded in the IC memory withoutremoving the film from the film cartridge.

On the other hand, a film player is known which images a developed filmby an image sensor such as a CCD and converts a film image into an imagesignal, which is output to a TV monitor that displays the film image.There is also proposed a film player, which records and regenerates withrespect to the APS film, and a film player which writes and reads thedata with respect to the IC memory loaded in the APS film cartridge.

If the film player displays the images on the APS film on a TV monitor,it is necessary to remove the film from the APS film cartridge and feedthe film in order to image each frame image. For this reason, tensionand friction are applied to the film, and, thus, regenerating frameimages repeatedly would deteriorate the film.

If the film player displays the images on the APS film on the TVmonitor, the image data of all frames is acquired in pre-scanning toobtain information such as the brightness and white balance of eachframe. In accordance with the information, main scanning is performedfor each frame and the image data acquired by the main scanning isprocessed appropriately and displayed on the TV monitor. Accordingly,the film must be fed reciprocally a plurality of times during oneregeneration. This is a heavy stress on the film, and it takes a longtime to regenerate the images.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, a film cartridge with IC memoryhas been proposed in which the image data of each frame is recorded inthe IC memory and in which, when the film player regenerates the filmimage, the image data of each frame is read from the IC memory and isdisplayed on the TV monitor without removing the film from the filmcartridge. This reduces stress on the film and shortens the regenerationtime of the film image.

The IC memory is mounted in the film cartridge within a limited space,and thus, there is a limitation on the capacity of the memory. Atpresent, it is difficult to record, in the IC memory, the image data ofall frames with the quantity that can be processed by the film player.It is necessary to reduce and compress the image data in order todecrease the quantity of the image data that is recorded in the ICmemory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed to address the above-describedcircumstances. An object of the invention is the provision of an imagedata recording method which records image data of one or more desiredframes in accordance with the residual capacity of the IC memory loadedin the film cartridge. A second object of the invention is the provisionof a frame image regenerating method records, in the IC memory, the dataused to process the image during the regeneration, in order to eliminatethe necessity for scanning the film when the film image is regenerated.The invention thereby prevents the deterioration of the film anddisplays the desired frame images on a monitor within a short period oftime.

To achieve the above-mentioned object of image data recording method,the present invention is directed to a method for recording, in astorage medium attached to a film cartridge, image data of at least onedesired frame on a developed photographic film stored in the filmcartridge. The image recording method comprises the steps of:determining a residual memory capacity of the storage medium; changing aquantity of image data of the desired frame to be recorded in thestorage medium or erasing data recorded in the storage medium inaccordance with the residual memory capacity of the storage medium; andallowing the image data of the desired frame to be recorded within theresidual memory capacity of the storage medium.

The image data recording method further comprises the steps of:calculating the number of frames which are permitted to be recorded inthe storage medium in accordance with the residual memory capacity ofthe storage medium and the quantity of image data for one frame to berecorded; and displaying the calculated number of frames.

The image data recording method further comprises the step ofarbitrarily changing the quantity of image data in each frame so thatthe quantity of the image data can be recorded in the storage medium.

The image data recording method further comprises the step of reducingand/or compressing the image data to thereby change the quantity of theimage data.

According to the present invention, the image data of each frame isrecorded in the storage medium loaded in the film cartridge, and thus,the image of each frame is regenerated without extracting the film fromthe film cartridge. This prevents the deterioration of the film andreduces the regeneration time of the frame image. The quantity of theimage data of each frame is changed in accordance with the residualmemory capacity of the storage medium, and it is therefore possible toarbitrarily set the number and quality of frame images recorded in thestorage medium.

To achieve the above-mentioned object of a frame image regeneratingmethod, the present invention is directed to a method comprising thesteps of: using a film cartridge with a storage medium mounted therein,the storage medium containing setup data comprising an exposure time T₀of an electronic shutter for imaging a negative base on a developedphotographic film stored in the film cartridge at a predeterminedbrightness, an exposure time T_(i) of the electronic shutter forregenerating each frame image on the photographic film at a properbrightness, where i is a frame number, and color correction data forregenerating each frame image on the photographic film in a propercolor; reading the setup data recorded in the storage medium, finding anexposure time T′₀ of the electronic shutter for imaging the negativebase on the film at a predetermined brightness, and calculating anexposure time T′_(i) for regenerating each frame image at a properbrightness in accordance with the following equation:

T′_(i)=T′₀/T₀×T_(i),

whereby regenerating each frame image on the photographic film inaccordance with the calculated exposure time T′_(i) of the electronicshutter and the color correction data of the setup data.

In the frame image regenerating method, the color correction datacomprises reference maximum values R_(max), G_(max) and B_(max) andreference minimum values R_(min), G_(min) and B_(min) of gradations inR, G and B colors.

The frame image regenerating method further comprises the steps of:recording, in the storage medium, convergent values R₀, G₀ and B₀ ofgradations in R, G and B colors in the case in which the negative baseon the photographic film is imaged in the exposure time T₀ of theelectronic shutter; determining convergent values R′₀, G′₀, B′₀ ofgradations in R, G and B colors in the case in which the negative baseon the photographic film is imaged in the exposure time T′₀ of theelectronic shutter during the regeneration of frame images on thephotographic film; and calibrating the reference maximum valuesR′_(max), G′_(max) and B′_(max) and the reference minimum valuesR′_(min), G′_(min) and B′_(min) of gradations in R, G and B colorsduring the regeneration of each frame in accordance with the followingequations:

R′_(max)=R′₀/R₀×R_(max);

G′_(max)=G′₀/G₀×G_(max); and

B′_(max)=B′₀/B₀×B_(max).

According to the present inventions, the setup data required forregenerating the frame images is recorded in the storage medium loadedin the film cartridge, and the setup data is referred to during theregeneration of the frame images. It is therefore possible toimmediately perform the main scanning for each frame withoutpre-scanning the film. This prevents the deterioration of the film andreduces the regeneration time of the frame images. Moreover, the setupdata is calibrated in accordance with the information acquired byimaging the negative base. Consequently, it is possible to properlyregenerate the image in each frame according to the setup data recordedin the storage medium even if there is a change in the apparatus as timepasses or even if the different apparatuses record the setup data andregenerate the image in the storage medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantagesthereof, will be explained in the following with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the structure of the whole systemincluding a film player, to which a film image input method of thepresent invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a film cartridge applied tothe film player in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the side of a film cartridge applied tothe film player in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the innerstructure of the film player in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a histogram used for assistance in explaining how to fine areference maximum value and a reference minimum value;

FIGS. 6(A), 6(B), 6(C) and 6(D) are graphs showing the processing ateach part of a digital signal processing circuit in FIG. 4:

FIGS. 7(A), 7(B), and 7(C) are graphs used for assistance in explaininga gamma correction method;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the specification of a memory area of anIC memory;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of a film player in thecase that no required data is recorded in the IC memory;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a transport sequence of afilm transported in the film player;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a procedure for recording image data inthe IC memory;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a procedure in the case that the imagedata is recorded in the IC memory;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a procedure for recording setup data inthe IC memory; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a procedure in the case that the setupdata is recorded in the IC memory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention will be described in further detail by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of afilm player according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, thefilm player 100 is rectangular parallelepiped, and a film cartridgestorage part 102 and a power supply switch 104 are provided at the frontof the film player 100. The film cartridge storage part 102 is drivenforward and backward in loading/unloading directions of a film cartridge110, so that the film cartridge 110 can be stored and taken out.

The film player 100 connects to a keypad 106 and a TV monitor 108. Thekeypad 106 outputs a variety of control signals to the film player 100in order to control the film player 100. The film player 100 outputs avideo signal to the TV monitor 108.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film cartridge 110 has a single spool 112, and aphotographic film 114 is wound around the spool 112. Perforations 114A,which indicate the positions of frames, are punched in the photographicfilm 114, and a magnetic recording layer 114B is formed on the entiresurface or the edge of the film. A camera with a magnetic head records,on the magnetic recording layer 114B, magnetic data representingphotographic data for each frame. The developed photographic film 114 iswound up and stored in the film cartridge 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, an IC memory unit 20 is provided at one side(reference side) of the film cartridge 110. The IC memory unit 20consists of a printed circuit board with six contact patterns and an ICmemory (e.g., a flash memory), which is loaded on the printed circuitboard and is electrically connected to the six contact patterns. The ICmemory contains image data, etc. which requires a large memory capacityas described later.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the inner structureof the film player 100. The film player 100 is comprised mainly of anillumination light source 130, a taking lens 136, a CCD circuit 140including a CCD line sensor 142, a first signal processing circuit 151,a second signal processing circuit 152, a third signal processingcircuit 153, a memory control circuit 154, a CCD buffer M1, a displaybuffer M2, a central processing unit (CPU) 160, a film driving mechanism170, an optical data reading unit 180, and a magnetic recording andregenerating unit 182.

The light source 130 is, for example, a long fluorescent lamp which isprovided in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction of the film114. The light source 130 illuminates the film 114 through an infraredcut filter 132. An image light is transmitted through the film 114, andit is formed on a light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 142through a taking lens 136. While the CCD line sensor 142 is imaging filmimages, the film driving mechanism 170 moves the film 114 at a constantspeed in a direction indicated by an arrow A (forward direction) or B(reverse direction). This will be described later in further detail.

The CCD line sensor 142 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to thefilm feed direction. The image light, which is formed on the lightreceiving surface of the CCD line sensor 142, is electrically chargedfor a predetermined period in sensors provided with R, G and B filters.The image light is converted into R, G and B signal electric chargeswith quantity suitable for the intensity of light. The accumulatedsignal electric charges are read to a shift register by a lead gatepulse of a predetermined cycle, which is transmitted from a CCD drivecircuit 144. A register transfer pulse reads the signal electric chargessequentially.

The CCD line sensor 142 has 1024 pixels in a direction perpendicular tothe film feed direction. If there is no change in the cycle of the leadgate pulse, etc. of the CCD drive circuit 144, the number of pixels inone frame, in the same direction as the film feed direction, variesaccording to the film feed speed. In this embodiment, the number ofpixels at a speed which is ½, 1, 8, and 16 times as fast as the filmfeeding speed at which a normal film image is captured are 1792 pixels,896 pixels, 112 pixels and 56 pixels, respectively.

The signal electric charges read from the CCD line sensor 142 areclamped by a CDS clamp and are transmitted as R, G and B signals to ananalog processing circuit 146, which controls the gains, etc. of the R,G and G signals. The R, G and B signals, which are output from theanalog processing circuit 146, are dot-sequenced by a multiplexer 148,and are converted into digital signals by an A/D converter 150. Thedigital signals are transmitted to the first signal processing circuit151 and the CPU 160.

The first signal processing circuit 151 has a white balance adjustingcircuit, a negative/positive inversion circuit, a γ-correction circuit,a RGB simultaneously-output circuit, etc. The first signal processingcircuit processes the dot-sequential R, G, B signals properly, andsimultaneously outputs the R, G and B signals to the second signalprocessing circuit 152.

A detailed description will now be given of the white balanceadjustment, the negative/positive inversion and the γ-correction. TheCPU 160 calculates the gradations (the gradation of 10 bit (0-1023) inthis embodiment) of the R, G and B digital image signals in apredetermined integration area, and finds the average gradations of theintegration area. Thus, the CPU 160 creates each gradation data for theintegration area with 5000-10000 points per one screen. Further, the CPU160 counts the frequency for each gradation in accordance with thesequentially-created gradation data, and stops counting if the frequencyexceeds a threshold TH established for the total points of the gradationdata (1% of the total points in this embodiment). Specifically, anintegration block creates a simple histogram (indicated by a slant linein FIG. 5) by counting the frequency up to the maximum threshold TH forall gradations from 0-1023 as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the long andshort alternate lines indicate a histogram in the case that the totalpoints are counted.

The CPU 160 sequentially accumulates the frequencies from the smallestgradation of the simple histogram in FIG. 5, and finds the referenceminimum value, which is the gradation when the accumulated frequencyfirst corresponds to, or exceeds, the threshold TH, for each of the R, Gand B colors. The CPU 160 also sequentially accumulates the frequenciesfrom the largest gradation of the simple histogram and finds the maximumreference value, which is the gradation when the accumulated frequencyfirst corresponds to, or exceeds, the threshold TH, for each of the R, Gand B colors.

A description will now be given of the processing in the first signalprocessing circuit 151. First, a description will be given of a methodof calculating the offset values and the quantity of gain, which areused for adjusting the white balance and the black balance. The CPU 160calculates the offset values for the R, G and B colors in accordancewith the reference maximum value and the reference minimum values andcalculates the quantity of gain for the R, G and B colors. If thereference maximum value of the R digital image signal is R_(ref max) andthe reference minimum value of the R digital image signal isR_(ref min), the offset value and the quantity of gain are as follows:

The offset value=1023−R_(ref max);  (1)

The quantity of gain=1023/(R_(ref max)−R_(ref min)).  (2)

The offset value and the quantity of gain of R digital image signal arecalculated by the above equations (1) and (2), and the other colorchannels are calculated in the same manner. The R, G and B digital imagesignals are represented in 10 bit, and 1023 is the maximum value of theR, G and B digital image signals.

The offset value of the R digital image signal is added to the originalR_(org) output from the A/D converter 150 during the scanning as shownin the following equation to acquire a digital image signal R1 which isblack-point offset:

R1=R_(org)+offset value.  (3)

The originals of the G and B image signals are processed in the samemanner so that the peak values of the R, G and B digital image signalscan correspond to one another (see FIG. 6(A)).

The following equation is calculated for the offset digital image signalR1 in order to negative-positive invert the digital image signal R1 (seeFIG. 6(B)):

R2=1023−R1.  (4)

Then, the negative-positive inverted digital image signal R2 ismultiplied by the quantity of gain, which is found by the equation (2),so that the other peak values (white in the positive image) of the R, Gand B digital image signals can correspond to one another (see FIG.6(C)):

 R3=R2×the quantity of gain.  (5)

Different gamma corrections are performed for the R, G and B digitalimage signals that have been multiplied by the quantity of gain, wherebythe gray is adjusted (see FIG. 6(D)).

A description will be given of the gamma correction in further detail.First, as shown in FIG. 7, a lookup table (hereinafter referred to as abase LUT), which is a reference for the gamma correction, is prepared.

A gamma correction value, which represents a difference between a gammacurve of the negative film and a gamma curve (generally γ=0.45) of avideo signal output to a Braun tube is recorded for each gradation inthe base LUT. An actual lookup table representing input-outputbehavioral characteristics is obtained by subtracting the base LUT (thegamma correction value) from a function y=x as shown in FIG. 7(A).

It is possible to change the base LUT by multiplying the base LUT by agamma gain (see FIG. 7(B)). If one base LUT is multiplied by a propergamma gain, it is possible to obtain a LUT whose gamma correction valueshave been expanded or compressed for R, G and B signals. FIG. 7(C) showsthe actual LUT for R, G and B signals, which is obtained by subtractingthe LUT whose gamma correction values have been expanded or compressedfor R, G and B colors from the function y=x.

The white balance and the black balance are adjusted by the aboveequations (3)-(5). In order to perform the gamma corrections for thedot-sequential R, G and B digital image signals that have beennegative-positive inverted, the gamma correction values are read fromthe base LUT in accordance with the dot-sequential R, G and B digitalimage signals. The gamma correction values are multiplied by gamma gainsfor R, G and B colors to find the properly-expanded or compressed gammacorrection values. It is possible to perform the dot-sequential gammacorrections for each color by subtracting the expanded or compressedgamma correction values from the dot-sequential R, G and B digital imagesignals.

The second signal processing circuit 152 in FIG. 4 has a matrix circuit,and generates a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal C_(r/b) inaccordance with the received R, G and B signals. Then, the second signalprocessing circuit 152 outputs the luminance signal Y and the chromasignal C_(r/b) to the memory control circuit 154.

The memory control circuit 154 controls the reading and writing theluminance signal Y and the chroma signal C_(r/b) in the CCD buffer M1,and also controls the reading and writing the luminance signal Y and thechroma signal C_(r/b), which are stored in the CCD buffer M1, in thedisplay buffer M2.

The luminance signal Y and the chroma signal C_(r/b), which are readfrom the display buffer M2 by the memory control circuit 154, aretransmitted to the third signal processing circuit 153. The third signalprocessing circuit 153 generates, for example, an NTSC color compositevideo signal in accordance with the received luminance signal Y and thechroma signal C_(r/b), and outputs the color composite video signal to avideo output terminal 158 through a D/A converter 156. Incidentally, asynchronous signal generating circuit 159 transmits synchronous signalswith a predetermined cycle to the memory control circuit 154, the thirdsignal processing circuit 156 and the D/A converter 156. Thissynchronizes those circuits, and acquires video signals includingnecessary synchronous signals. A timing signal generating circuit 162,which is controlled by the CPU 160, transmits timing signals to the CCDcircuit unit 140, the A/D converter 150, the first signal processingcircuit 151, the second signal processing circuit 152 and the memorycontrol circuit 154, so that the circuits can be synchronized.

The film drive mechanism 170 consists of a film supply part, whichconnects to the spool 112 of the film cartridge 110 and rotates thespool 112 forward and backward; a film take-up part for taking up thefilm 114 fed from the film supply part; and a means, which is arrangedon a film transport route and feeds the film 114 at a constant speed inthe state wherein the film 114 is pinched by the capstan and the pinchroller. The film supply part rotates the spool 112 of the film cartridge110 clockwise in FIG. 4, and feeds the film 114 from the film cartridge110 until the film take-up part takes up the film leader.

The optical data reading unit 180 has a first optical sensor 180A foroptically detecting the perforations 114A on the film 114, and a secondoptical sensor 180B for optically reading optical data such as a barcode written at the film edge. The optical data reading unit 180processes the optical data, which is read through the optical sensors180A, 180B, and outputs the optical data to the CPU 160.

The magnetic recording and regenerating unit 182 has a magnetic head182A, and reads the magnetic data from the magnetic recording layer 114Bof the film 114. Then, the magnetic data regenerating unit 182 processesthe magnetic data and outputs the processed data to the CPU 160 so thatthe data can be recorded in the RAM 160A. The magnetic recording andregenerating unit 182 also reads the data from the RAM 160A of the CPU160, and converts the data into a signal suitable for magneticrecording. Then, the magnetic recording and regenerating unit 182outputs the signal to the magnetic head 182A, and records the signal onthe magnetic recording layer 114B of the film 114.

The CPU 160 connects to a random access memory (RAM) 121, a read onlymemory (ROM) 122, an erasable and electrically programmable read onlymemory (EEPROM) 123, and an IC memory interface 124.

The ROM 122 contains a film player control program and a load programfor loading the contents of the IC memory 120 mounted in the filmcartridge 110. In accordance with the program stored in the ROM 122, theCPU 160 performs the processing according to the user's manipulation ofthe keypad 106 and controls the film player 100. The CPU 160 also loadsthe contents of the IC memory 120 loaded in the film cartridge 110through the IC memory interface 124, and writes the data recorded in theRAM 121, the EEPROM 123, etc. in the IC memory 120 through the IC memoryinterface 124.

A description will be given of the data recorded in the IC memory 120 ofthe film cartridge 110 in the film player 100. In the first embodiment,the IC memory 120 contains the image data of desired frames, which havebeen regenerated once by the film player 100. As shown in FIG. 8, thememory area of the IC memory 120 consists of a data management area anda data record area. Image data is recorded in the data record area, andnecessary information for reading and regenerating the image data in theIC memory 120 such as frame numbers of the image data recorded in thedata record area and the addresses where the image data corresponding tothe frame numbers are recorded in the data management area.

Since the image data of desired frames are recorded in the IC memory, itis possible to read the image data of the desired frame from the ICmemory 120 and regenerate the image of the desired frames withoutreading the image with the film scanner when the film player 100regenerates the film cartridge 110 loaded with the IC memory 120.

A description will now be given of the operation of the film player 100,which is constructed in the above-mentioned manner. First, a descriptionwill be given of the operation in the case where the IC memory 120contains no image data with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9. Whenthe film cartridge 110 is mounted in the film cartridge storage part 102(step S10), the CPU 160 determines whether or not the IC memory 120 ofthe film cartridge 110 contains the required data (image data) withreference to the contents stored in the data management area (see FIG.8) of the IC memory 120 (step S12). If the required data is notrecorded, the CPU 160 controls the film drive mechanism 170, which feedsthe film 114 from the film cartridge 110 and winds the film leaderaround the take-up shaft of the film take-up part (film loading). Then,the negative base at the film leader is captured to execute thecalibration (step S14). Specifically, the electronic shutter of the CCDline sensor 142 is set at an initial value 15%, and an amplifier gain ofthe analog signal processing circuit 146 is set at a preset value (aninitial value). Then the CCD line sensor 142 images the negative base atthe film leader, and the R, G and B output voltages from the analogprocessing circuit 146 are measured and memorized. The CPU 160 reads adifference between the reference voltage (e.g., 2V) and the maximumvalue d of the G output voltage from the analog processing circuit 146,and changes the exposure time (the electric charge accumulation time ofthe CCD line sensor 142) of the electronic shutter so that the maximumvalue d can be, for example, 2V. Then, the CPU 160 outputs a gaincontrol signal to the analog processing circuit 146 so that each maximumvalue of the R and B output voltages can be 2V.

After the calibration, the first pre-scanning is performed (step S16).In the first pre-scanning, the CPU 160 feeds the film 148 forward at ahigh speed of 148.0 mm/sec. as shown in FIG. 10, and captures the imagedata through the CCD line sensor 142. The CPU 160 reads the optical dataand the magnetic data through the optical data reading unit 180 and themagnetic recording and regenerating unit 182.

In accordance with the image data captured during the firstpre-scanning, the CPU 160 finds the reference maximum value and thereference minimum values of the gradation for R, G and B colors. Inaccordance with the equations (1) and (2), the CPU 160 calculates theoffset values and the quantity of gain, and stores offset datarepresenting the offset value for each color and AWB data representingthe gain adjustment quantity in the RAM 121. Incidentally, the CPU 160is capable of detecting each frame on the film 114 in accordance withthe optical data and/or the magnetic data, which are read through theoptical data reading unit 180 and the magnetic recording andregenerating unit 182, and determining frame numbers by counting theframes.

Next, the second pre-scanning is performed for the film 114 (step S18).Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 160 rewinds the film 114 in areverse direction at a high speed of 74.0 mm/sec., and captures theimage data through the CCD line sensor 142. When the image data iscaptured, the CPU 160 controls the electric charge accumulation time ofthe CCD line sensor 142 in accordance with AE data stored in the RAM 121in order to adjust the exposure for each frame.

The CPU 160 controls the first signal processing circuit 151, whichadjusts the offset quantity and the white balance of R, G and B signalsfor each frame. More specifically, the CPU 160 outputs the offset datafor each color signal of each frame from the RAM 121 to the first signalprocessing circuit 151. In accordance with the offset data, the firstsignal processing circuit 151 adjusts the offset quantity fordot-sequential R, G and B signals. Likewise, the CPU 160 outputs the AWBdata for R, G and B color signals of each frame from the RAM 121 to thefirst signal processing circuit 151. In accordance with the AWB data,the first signal processing circuit 151 adjusts the gains of thedot-sequential R, G and B signals.

Since the image data of each frame is adjusted in accordance with the AEdata, the AWB data or the like, the satisfactory image data can becaptured regardless of the photographic conditions for each frame.

The adjusted image data of each frame, that is, the luminance signal Yand the chroma signal C_(r/b) output from the second signal processingcircuit 152 are stored in the CCD buffer M1 through the memory controlcircuit 154. As described above, the film 114 is fed at a speed that iseight times as fast as the feeding speed for capturing the normal filmimage, and thus, the number of pixels in one frame in the same directionas the film feed direction is smaller than the number of pixels in thenormal film image. The CCD line sensor 142 has the sensor of 1024 pixelsin a direction perpendicular to the film feed direction as mentionedpreviously. If the number of pixels is decreased, for example, to{fraction (1/16)} of 1024, the number of pixels in one frame in adirection perpendicular to the film feed direction is smaller than thenumber of pixels in the case of the normal film image. It is thereforepossible to store the image data representing an index image of, forexample, 40 frames (hereinafter referred to as index image data) in theCCD buffer M1, which is able to contain the image data of only about oneframe in the case of the normal film image.

To store the index image data in the display buffer M2, the pixels ofone frame is further reduced so that the image data of 20 frames, forexample, can be stored in the display buffer M2. To display the indeximage on the TV monitor 108, the image data is read from the displaybuffer M2. The CPU 160 numbers the frames 1, 2, . . . in an order ofreading the image data during the scanning, and outputs charactersignals indicating the frame number of each frame to thereby display theindex image on which the frame numbers are superimposed.

The index image is created as described above (step S20). If the indeximage is displayed on the TV monitor 108, the user controls the keypad106 while looking at the index image. The user interactively performsthe edition and designations required for displaying one frame on the TVmonitor 108 (step S22). For example, the user designates the directionto erect the regeneration image on the monitor, changes a frame size,and set or cancel the prohibition of the display. The edited data isstored in the RAM 121.

After the editions for displaying the frames are performed on the indeximage display screen, the frames are displayed and edited. In this case,the user selects frames to be displayed on the TV monitor 108, orselects a regeneration mode for automatically displaying all frameimages in order, etc. If the user selects the first frame, the CPU 160feeds the film 114 by one frame forward at a speed of 9.25 mm/sec asshown in FIG. 10 in order to scan the first frame (main scanning) (stepS24). During the main scanning, the image data is captured into the CCDbuffer M1 through the CCD line sensor 142.

When the image data is captured, the CPU 160 adjusts the image data ofeach frame in accordance with the AE data, AWB data, etc., stored in theRAM 121; therefore, a satisfactory image data can be captured regardlessof the photographic conditions for each frame.

The image data of one frame, which has been captured in the CCD bufferM1 as stated above, is transferred to the display buffer M2. Thecontents of the display buffer M2 are read repeatedly so that the imageof one frame can be displayed on the TV monitor 108.

The user edits the image in further detail such as trimming and colorcorrection while looking at the screen displayed for each frame (stepS26).

The display and edition of each frame are repeatedly performed inaccordance with the user's designation of the frames or the like. Whenthe user instructs the operation to finish (step S28), the film 114 isfed in a reverse direction at a high speed of 148.0 mm/sec. as shown inFIG. 10. While the film is feeding, the data, which was previously readfrom the magnetic recording layer 114B of the film 114 and is stored inthe RAM 121 of the CPU 160, is recorded in the magnetic recording layer114B of the film 114. The required data is recorded in the IC memory120, and after rewinding, the film cartridge 110 is taken out (stepS29).

A description will be given of the operation of the film player 100 inthe case where the image data of each frame on the film 114 can berecorded in the IC memory 120 of the film cartridge 110. First, adescription will be given of the procedure for recording the image datain the IC memory 120 by the film player 100 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11. When the film cartridge 110 is mounted in the filmcartridge storage part 102 (step S30), the CPU 160 reads the data fromthe IC memory 120 and determines the residual capacity of the IC memory120. The CPU 160 records the residual capacity of the IC memory 120 inthe RAM 121 (step S32). The residual capacity is the residual capacityof the data recording area (see FIG. 8); the residual capacity may beconfirmed from the memory management information in the data managementarea (see FIG. 8).

Then, the CPU 160 determines whether the required data (image data) isrecorded in the IC memory 120 as indicated at the step S12 in theflowchart of FIG. 9. If the image data is not recorded, the CPU 160performs the processing from the step S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 asstated previously. On the other hand, if the image data is recorded, theCPU 160 executes a predetermined processing and then executes theprocessing from the step S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 9. A descriptionwill later be given of the processing procedure in the case where the ICmemory 120 contains the image data.

After executing the processing from the step S14, the CPU 160 goes tothe step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 so as to display and edit eachframe. When the user instructs the image data of a currently-displayedframe to be registered in the display and edition of each frame (stepS34), the CPU 160 reads the residual capacity of the IC memory 120 fromthe RAM 121. The CPU 160 determines whether the residual capacity of theIC memory 120 is larger than the capacity required for recording theimage data of one frame so as to determine whether it is possible toregister the image data in the IC memory 120 (step S36). If it ispossible to register the image data in the IC memory 120, the CPU 160reads the image data of the designated frame recorded in the CCD bufferM1, and records the image data and other management information in thefree space in the IC memory 120 (step S38). The image data is recordedin the data recording area of the IC memory 120, whereas the othermanagement information such as the frame number of the recorded imagedata and the address of the image data in the memory are recorded in thedata management area (see FIG. 8). The quantity of the image datarecorded in the IC memory 120 is subtracted from the residual capacityof the IC memory 120, which is recorded in the RAM 121, in order toupdate the residual capacity of the IC memory 120 before theregistration of the image data to the residual capacity after theregistration of the image data (step S40).

On the other hand, if it is impossible to register the image data in theIC memory 120 at the step S36, the user determines on the monitorwhether to erase the other data stored in the IC memory 120 (step S42).If the user determines not to erase the data, the registration of theimage data is cancelled and the processing returns to the step S34. Ifthe user determines to erase the data, he or she determines which datawill be erased (step S44). For instance, if the unnecessary image datais erased when other image data is recorded, the residual capacity forrecording new image data can be secured. The CPU 160 erases thedesignated data from the IC memory 120 (step S46), and adds the capacityof the erased data to the residual capacity of the IC memory 120, whichis recorded in the RAM 121 to find the residual capacity of the ICmemory 120 after the data is erased (step S48). Then, the CPU 160returns to the step S36, and determines again whether it is possible toregister the image data in the residual capacity of the IC memory. Ifpossible, the image data is recorded in the IC memory 120 as statedabove. If the residual capacity is still in shortage after the data iserased, the processing from the step S42 to S48 is repeated.

The CPU 160 records the image data, which is read into the CCD buffer M1when the images are displayed and edited on a frame-by-frame basis, inthe IC memory 120 in accordance with the instruction of the user. If theresidual capacity of the IC memory 120 is smaller than the capacityrequired for recording the image data, the CPU 160 gives the user aninstruction to erase the unnecessary data in order to secure theresidual capacity for recording the image data.

The image data may also be recorded in the IC memory 120 by designatinga plurality of frames at the same time on the index image displayscreen. Moreover, the index image itself may be recorded with the imagedata of each frame in the IC memory 120.

In the above explanation, the image data captured into the CCD buffer M1is recorded in the IC memory 120, but the image data (the image datawhich has been trimmed or the like) transferred from the CCD buffer M1to the display buffer M2 may also be recorded in the IC memory 120.

There is no problem if the capacity of the IC memory 120 is enough tocontain the image data of all frames, which has been read into the CCDbuffer M1. If, however, the capacity of the IC memory 120 is not enoughto contain the image data of all frames, which has been read into theCCD buffer M1, it is possible to select frames, which the user wouldlike to store, among frames which may be recorded in the IC memory 120.It is also possible to reduce or compress the image data in the CCDbuffer M1 according to the number of frames designated by the user inorder to record the image data of the designated frames. It is alsopossible to previously set the reduction or compression rate for theimage data according to the capacity of the IC memory in order to recordthe image data of all frames.

If, for example, the data recording area in the IC memory 120 of 2Mbytes is 1.5M bytes and the quantity of the image data in each frame is1M byte, the quantity of the image data is reduced to about {fraction(1/7)}, because {fraction (10/1.5)}=7, in order to record the image dataof ten frames in the IC memory 120.

The user may adjust the reduction quantity or compression rate for theimage data according to the residual capacity of the IC memory 120instead of adjusting the quantity of the image data by designating thenumber of frames to be recorded in the IC memory 120. For instance, aplurality of modes such as a high resolution mode, a normal mode and alow resolution mode are provided as image data recording modes, so thatthe reduction quantity and compression rate can be selected bydesignating a mode. In this case, for example, the number of frames thatmay be recorded is displayed, and the user selects a mode in accordancewith the purpose.

If the quantity of the image data to be recorded in the IC memory 120 ischangeable as stated above, the quantity of the image data variesaccording to frames sometimes. If the kind of processing which has beenperformed to reduce the quantity of each image data is unknown, theimage data cannot be restored to the original size. To avoid such aproblem, the kind of processing which has been performed to reduce thequantity of data is recorded with the image data in the data managementarea in the IC memory 120.

A description will now be given of the procedure in the case when theimage data is recorded in the IC memory 120 with reference to theflowchart of FIG. 12. When the film cartridge 110 is set in the filmcartridge storage part 102 (step S60), the CPU 160 reads the datarecorded in the IC memory 120 of the film cartridge 110 (step S62). Atthis time, the CPU 160 determines whether or not the image data isrecorded in the IC memory 120 with reference to the data recorded in thedata management area in the IC memory 120. If the image data is notrecorded, the CPU 160 performs the processing from the step S14 in theflowchart of FIG. 9 as stated previously.

On the other hand, if the image data is recorded, the CPU 160 displays,on the TV monitor, a selection screen for deciding whether to displaythe image data in the IC memory 120 on the monitor or to scan the film(step S64). If the user decides to scan the film 114, the CPU 160performs the processing from the step S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 9. Onthe other hand, if the user decides to display the image data, the CPU160 displays frame numbers of the image data recorded in the IC memory120 on the monitor with reference to the data management area in the ICmemory 120, and instructs the user to select a frame to be regenerated(step S66). When the user selects a frame to be regenerated, the CPU 160reads the image data of the selected frame from the IC memory 120 anddisplays the image on the TV monitor 108 through the display buffer M2(step S68).

It is therefore possible to display the image of a certain frame on theTV monitor 108 without removing the film from the film cartridge 110.Consequently, the deterioration of the film is prevented, and the frameimages on the film are displayed on the TV monitor 108 within a shortperiod of time.

If the index image is recorded in the IC memory 120, the CPU 160 readsthe index image from the IC memory 120 after the film cartridge 110 ismounted in the film cartridge storage part 102. Then, the CPU 160displays the index image on the TV monitor 108.

A description will now be given of the second embodiment which makes itpossible to record setup data of each frame, regenerated once by thefilm player 100, in the IC memory 120 of the film cartridge 110. Thesetup data consists of main scan data and calibration data. The mainscan data is required to image and display each frame image on themonitor. More specifically, the main scan data includes the accumulationtime of electric charge in the CCD line sensor 142, which is obtainedduring the regeneration of each frame image; the reference maximum valueand the reference minimum value of the gradation in each color duringthe accumulation of the electric charge; and the amplifier gain of theLUT in each color. In other words, the main scan data includes theexposure time of the electronic shutter during the regeneration of eachframe image and the color correction data used for determining theoffset value, the quantity of gain and the gamma correction quantity.

The calibration data includes the accumulation time of the electriccharge in the CCD line sensor 142 for imaging the negative base at apredetermined brightness when the negative base on the film 114 isimaged, and a convergent value of a signal in each color, which isobtained during the accumulation of the electric charge. The calibrationdata indicates the characteristics of the imaging optical system of thefilm player, which has recorded the setup data. For example, thecalibration data is used to calibrate the changes in the apparatus fromthe recording of the setup data to the regeneration of the image anddifferences in characteristics between apparatuses if differentapparatuses record the setup data and regenerate the image.

Since the setup data is recorded in the IC memory 120, the setup datacan be read from the IC memory 120 when each frame image is regenerated.It is therefore possible to immediately regenerate each frame imagewithout pre-scanning the film to acquire the setup data.

First, a description will be given of the procedure for recording thesetup data in the IC memory 120 by the film player 100 with reference tothe flowchart of FIG. 13. When the film cartridge 110 is set in the filmcartridge storage part 102 (step S70), the CPU 160 reads the data in theIC memory 120 to determine whether the setup data is recorded or not. Ifthe setup data is not recorded, the CPU 160 executes the processing fromthe step S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 9. On the other hand, if the setupdata is recorded, the CPU 160 performs a predetermined processing. Adescription will later be given of the processing in the case where thesetup data is recorded.

If the setup data is not recorded, the CPU 160 performs the processingfrom the step S14. The CPU 160 executes the calibration for the negativebase of the film 114 as stated previously (step S72) to acquire thecalibration data (step S74). Afterwards, the CPU 160 performs the firstand second pre-scanning as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 (step S76)to acquire the main scan data (step S78). After the predeterminedprocessing, the CPU 160 records the setup data, which consists of thecalibration data and the main scan data, in the IC memory 120 (stepS80).

A description will now be given of the procedure in the case where thesetup data is recorded in the IC memory 120. When the film cartridge 110is set in the film cartridge storage part 102 (step S90), the CPU 160reads the data in the IC memory 120 to determine whether the setup datais recorded or not. If the setup data is recorded, the setup data isread (step S92). Then, the film is loaded, and the negative base isimaged to perform the calibration (step S94). Then, the results of thecalibration and the calibration data included in the setup data arecompared to calibrate the main scan data (step S96).

A description will be given of the calibration for the main scan data infurther detail. Suppose that the calibration data included in the setupdata recorded in the IC memory 120 is as follows:

the accumulation time T₀ of the electric charge in the CCD: 300 μs; and

the convergent value R₀: 950, G₀: 950, B₀: 950,

and the main scan data of the first frame is as follows:

the accumulation time T of the electric charge in the CCD: 600 μs;

the maximum value R_(max): 900, G_(max): 920, B_(max): 910;

the minimum value R_(min): 50, G_(min): 60, B_(min): 50; and

γ-gain R: 10, G: 20, B:30.

On the other hand, suppose that the calibration data obtained as aresult of the calibration is as follows:

the accumulation time T′₀ of the electric charge in the CCD: 150 μs; and

the convergent value R′₀: 940, G′₀: 940, B′₀: 940.

In this case, the accumulation time T′ of the electric charge in the CCDline sensor 142 in the main scanning for each frame is calculated by thefollowing equation:

T′=T×(T′₀/T₀).

Accordingly, the accumulation time T′ of the electric charge in the CCDline sensor 142 for the first frame is as follows:

T′=600×(150/300)=300 μs.

The reference maximum value and the reference minimum value of thegradation in each color are substantially equal if the accumulation timeof the electric charge in the CCD line sensor 142 is calibrated. Forthis reason, the reference maximum value and the reference minimum valuedo not always have to be calibrated. If they are calibrated, however,the calibrated reference maximum values R′_(max), G′_(max), B′_(max) andthe calibrated reference minimum values R′_(min), G′_(min), B′_(min) areas follows.

R′_(max)=R_(max)×(R′₀/R₀);

G′_(max)=G_(max)×(G′₀/G₀);

B′_(max)=B_(max)×(B′₀/B₀);

R′_(min)=R_(min)×(R′₀/R₀);

G′_(min)=G_(min)×(G₀/G₀); and

B′_(min)=B_(min)×(B′₀/B₀).

Accordingly, the reference maximum values R′_(max), G′_(max), B′_(max),and the reference minimum values R′_(min), G′_(min), B′_(min) are asfollows:

R′_(max)=900×(940/950)≅891;

G′_(max)=920×(940/950)≅910;

B′_(max)=910×(940/950)≅900;

R′_(min)=50×(940/950)≅49;

G′_(min)=60×(940/950)≅59; and

B′_(min)=50×(940/950)≅49.

Incidentally, the γ gains of the main scan data are not corrected.

After the main scan data for each frame is calibrated, the CPU 160performs the main scanning for the frames designated by the user inaccordance with the calibrated main scan data (step S98).

The setup data is recorded in the IC memory 120 and the main scanning isperformed for each frame in accordance with the setup data recorded inthe IC memory 120, so that the pre-scanning for acquiring the main scandata can be omitted and each frame image can be regenerated within ashort period of time.

In this embodiment, the image data or the setup data is recorded in theIC memory 120, but both the image data and the setup data may also berecorded in the IC memory 120. In this case, the main scanning isperformed for frames with no image data in accordance with the setupdata. This eliminates the necessity for pre-scanning and makes itpossible to display the frame image on the TV monitor within a shortperiod of time.

As set forth hereinabove, according to the image data recording methodand the frame image regenerating method of the present invention, theimage data of each frame is recorded in the storage medium loaded in thefilm cartridge. For this reason, the images in each frame on thephotographic film can be regenerated without removing the film from thefilm cartridge. This prevents the deterioration of the film and reducesthe regeneration time of the frame images. Moreover, the quantity ofimage data in each frame is changed according to the residual capacityof the storage medium. It is therefore possible to arbitrarily set thenumber and quality of frame images to be recorded in the storage mediumin accordance with the residual capacity of the storage medium.

The setup data required for regenerating each frame image is recorded inthe storage medium loaded in the film cartridge, and the setup data isreferred to when each frame image is regenerated. It is thereforepossible to immediately perform the main scanning for each frame withoutpre-scanning the film. This prevents the deterioration of the film andreduces the regeneration time of the frame images. Moreover, the setupdata is calibrated in accordance with the information acquired byimaging the negative base. Consequently, it is possible to properlyregenerate the image in each frame according to the setup data recordedin the storage medium even if there is a change in the apparatus as timepasses or even if the different apparatuses record the setup data andregenerate the image in the storage medium.

It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limitthe invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A film cartridge comprising: a housing forcontaining a photographic film exposable in a photographic camera; and astorage medium operatively mounted to said housing, said storage mediumcontaining setup data comprising: an exposure time T0 of a photographicshutter for imaging at a predetermined brightness a negative base on adeveloped photographic film; an exposure time Ti of a photographicshutter, where i is a frame number, for regenerating at a properbrightness a frame image on the photographic film; and color correctiondata for regenerating in proper color the frame image on thephotographic film.
 2. The film cartridge of claim 1 further comprisingthe photographic film, said photographic film being contained in saidhousing.
 3. A film cartridge comprising: a housing, a storage mediumoperatively mounted to said housing, and a photographic film, whereinsaid storage medium contains setup data comprising: an exposure time T0of a photographic shutter for imaging, at a predetermined brightness, anegative base on said photographic film; an exposure time Ti of anelectronic shutter for regenerating, at a proper brightness, a frameimage from said photographic film; and color correction data forregenerating, in proper color, the frame image from said photographicfilm.